The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) is Britain’s oldest building conservation charity and has around 8,500 members. Founded by William Morris in 1877 to combat destructive Victorian enthusiasm for restoration rather than repair, today SPAB continues to offer advice, education and expertise to building professionals and homeowners. We also campaign against threats to historic buildings. SPAB is the champion of the building, representing the practical and positive side of conservation, with a firm set of principles about how old buildings should be repaired and the practical knowledge to demonstrate how these principles should be applied. Through its acclaimed Scholarship scheme for architects, surveyors and engineers, and the Fellowship for craftspeople, SPAB is helping to train the next generation to care for old buildings with skill and discernment. We also run a variety of courses for building professionals and homeowners. These are targeted to reflect current issues and themes of interest to those caring for historic buildings.